The Chicago Bears in the 2025 season turned years of Bears fan’s prayers into answers. The optimism and cheers came back to Soldier Field this year and are hopefully here to stay. This season wasn’t about just surviving expectations, it was about shattering old narratives and proving the Chicago Bears are done being defined by their past. The Bears didn’t just arrive this season, they planted their flag, making it clear they’re built to stay at the top of the league, not just visit it.
After an abysmal 2024 season, the Bears lacked coaching and identity. They realized in the upcoming off-season they needed to make a splash and revive the energy of the Bears. After selecting quarterback Caleb Williams with the No.1 draft pick the year before, they needed the perfect coaching mind to pair with him. After 17 candidates had come through Halas Hall to interview for the job, General Manager Ryan Poles had found the newest Bears head Coach: Ben Johnson. In his very first interview with the Bears, WTTW reports that Johnson said “I can attest to how passionate Bears fans are about this city and their team, and I am honored to be their head coach.” Once Bears fans heard this news and he addressed fans as the newest coach for the first time, the fanbase was ready to run through a wall for him.
Bears General Manager Ryan Poles wasn’t just done there; he needed new assets for Johnson to use in the offense. Poles revamped the interior offensive line by signing in free agency center Drew Dalman, right guard Jonah Jackson, and then trading for left guard Joe Thuney. In the 2025 NFL Draft, more heads turned when Poles selected Colston Loveland with the 10th pick, Luther Burden at the 39th pick, Ozzy Triapilo at the 56th pick, and lastly Kyle Monangai with the 233rd pick. After these moves by the Bears two things were certain. They have a whole new identity and are ready for the upcoming 2025 season.
Not everything started out smoothly though. The Bears started out 0-2 in the 2025 season and had a brutal beat down from Johnson’s former team, the Detroit Lions, with a score of 52-21. After this game, people were questioning if Ben Johnson was the right guy for the Bears, or if quarterback Caleb Williams was a bust.
However, as soon as they started, haters quieted down. With a dominant 31-14 Week 3 win over the Dallas Cowboys the season was officially back on track. The Bears flew up to one of the top contenders in the NFL and they faced their hardest opponent in Week 11, the reigning NFL champion, the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bears overpowered the Eagles in every way and won 24-15. After this game, the Bears had found themselves at a 9-3 record and the number one seed in the NFC. The Chicago Bears were looking like they could beat anyone after this game and were a true threat in the NFL.
The Bears were looking to win the NFC North for the first time since 2018. The only thing standing in their way? The Green Bay Packers – the Bears longtime rival. The Bears had just lost to them two weeks ago in Week 14, but this time they were back for revenge. The Bears found themselves down later in the game16-9 with 24 seconds left. Everyone is wondering if Caleb Williams can finally be the one that beats the Packers and can get it done and win the NFC North. On fourth and goal Williams dropped back and found undrafted free agent rookie Jahdae Walker for the touchdown pass to tie up the game at 16. As the game rolled into overtime, Williams knew he needed to become a hero in this moment. The Bears defense got a stop and all Williams and offense needed to do was score a field goal to win the game. But heroes don’t settle for field goals; they step up when their team needs them the most. So, Caleb “Iceman” Williams delivered an award winning moment with a 46 yard touchdown on a mere impossible throw to DJ Moore. The Chicago Bears were then crowned NFC North Champions.
The Bears vs Packers rivalry didn’t just end there for the 2025 season, as they would meet once again in the Wild Card of the playoffs. This was the most important game for the Bears all season, since it was ‘win or go home.’ The first half was ugly and the Bears were down 21-3 at halftime. A lot of fans were losing hope and wondering if the Iceman had one more comeback in him. The Bears chipped away and fought and were only down 27-24 with one drive left. With only 1:43 left on the clock, Williams was the hero Chicago needed as he dropped a perfect 25 yard touchdown pass one last time to DJ Moore to finish off the Packers season. The city of Chicago was speechless and the team was going crazy after sending their division rivals home, with Coach Ben Johnson not mincing words in the locker room against the Packers, embracing the rivalry to its fullest. With palpable excitement in the city, the Bears hung on and survived to the next round.
Even though the Bears would end up falling short to the Los Angeles Rams, the future has never been brighter for the team. After the game Williams said in a press conference “It’s a good lesson learned for us, first time being in this situation for me and for us as a team. I’m excited for what’s to come.” It’s so true as well, behind a fearless quarterback, a bold head coach, and a front office that refused to play it safe. Even die-hard Bears fan and Grayslake Central football player Eli Gillette said “The development of the team was something unlikely for a Chicago team. The pieces for a great team have been placed with Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson. The future has me feeling very optimistic.” The Bears rewrote what was expected of them and reminded the league what football in Chicago is supposed to look like. This wasn’t just a season of comebacks, it was to put the NFL on notice for what’s to come. The Bears are no longer a team hoping for the future; they are the future, and they’ve made it clear they’re here to stay.
